"They just didn’t call" - Scott Boras opens up on 2023 struggles after Blake Snell signed $182 million deal much earlier
In 2023, Scott Boras' client, Blake Snell, was among the last free agents to sign despite being one of the biggest names. However, after opting out this year, he was the first big name to sign. The pitcher inked a five-year $182 million deal, a year after he missed part of Spring Training due to not having a contract.
Boras had a rough go in 2023. His four big clients were among the last to sign, most of which were added by the time Spring Training started. This year, he's off to a better start.
Boras said that teams "weren't interested" in Snell last offseason.
“They just didn’t call," Boras said on Tuesday, via The Athletic. 'The market for free agents last year started maybe in the middle of February, it was that different. People like to register that it has something to do with me — I’m just a functionary of the system."
He added that it ultimately depends on how willing owners are to spend and how quickly they want to move. Boras and his clients are available from the outset but owners and general managers need to start the negotiations.
Scott Boras isn't sure why market is moving faster this year
Scott Boras' clients didn't get any early traction in 2023. It took a long time for Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman and Jordan Montgomery to sign with teams, and most of them missed parts or all of Spring Training.
This year, things are already moving faster.
“I wish I could answer those questions, I do. I think a lot of it has to do with media certainty" Boras said. "This streaming thing that they have going on is very viable, very profitable. I don’t think they like to say that, but obviously, the markets indicate that there is a different attitude about what it is."
Boras pointed to Juan Soto's presence as a potential catalyst, calling him a generational talent that has kicked things into gear quicker. However, Shohei Ohtani was also in the market last year, so it may depend on the year.